Women have 'valuable role to play ... to combat extremism'

The community's women have a "valuable role to play ... to combat extremism" said Sara Khan, director of human rights organisation Inspire.

Ms Khan was hosting a session for Muslim women in Birmingham, giving practical tips on challenging what she called the "hateful, bigoted and extreme views" of Islamic State (Isil) and other jihadi militant groups and their supporters.

The workshop is part of a national series under the campaign banner #MakingAStand, which has Government backing.

It comes as the search continues for three London schoolgirls believed to have fled to Syria to join Islamic State.

Relatives of Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15, have issued heartfelt pleas for the youngsters to come home amid fears they may have been recruited by jihadists online.

It is thought as many as 60 British women have travelled to Syria.

Ms Khan said: "We've heard this weekend about three girls from east London who've left the UK, allegedly to join Isil.

"This is something we hear time and again - the fears and worries that mothers in particular have, and they want to know what they can do to protect their children from extremists."

She said the programme was about "empowering women", and there had already been successes since it launched, with the backing of Home Secretary Theresa May, in September.

"I believe women are crucial in the battle against extremism and have made substantial differences," said Ms Khan.

"I know of many examples of women who have challenged extremist preachers, challenged things that have been happening in mosques and madrassas and been able to challenge their own children because they have the confidence from attending our programme.

"We know it can be prevented."

About 20 women from around the Midlands attended today's session, discussing steps to tackle the problem of radicalisation, discussing religion with family members, and openly challenging extreme views within their community.

Mother-of-three Hifsa Haroon-Iqbal, of Stafford, said it was important to talk to children about their religion from an early age, so they could develop informed opinions.

"Too often, children ask, 'why do we do this?', and the answer has simply been, 'because you're a Muslim'," she said.

"It's important to give them the right answers, so they develop the confidence to be able to come to you to discuss these issues."

Gina Khan, an activist in Birmingham, said she believed the struggle was as much about overturning a tradition of male-dominated leadership among some portions of the Muslim community.

She said: "I firmly believe that if you empower Muslim and Asian women they will create change.

"We've had 20 or 30 years of men running the mosques, and I haven't seen great change, I haven't seen anything remotely credible standing up for Muslim women and challenging radicalisation."

Ms Khan said the Muslim community needed to let women take the lead on the issue.

"We've been very slow as a Muslim community to create change and do something," she said.

"Sadly, barring a few good men, nothing has really happened.

"Muslim women need to lead the way, break the chains and break their silence."

Referring to the disappearance of the three schoolgirls, she said she believed the youngsters had been "groomed" online and parents needed to the recognise this "real" and "dangerous" risk to their children.

"It's happening in our communities, to people we know - it is close to home," she added.

"They're only 15 and 16-year-old girls, so it's everybody's responsibility.

"Whatever has gone on has gone on in a very confined and secretive world.

"We've heard a lot about the internet, and parents need to be just as concerned as they are about sexual grooming that this sort of grooming is going on."

The workshop campaign is continuing its nationwide tour, travelling next to Luton.